Working in Switzerland without local experience: how to reassure recruiters

Have you never worked in Switzerland?
Here's how to reassure a recruiter  

In Switzerland, professional references play a central role in the recruitment process. They are often as important as the CV itself. 

 For people who have already worked in Switzerland, the work certificate is the official reference. 

It is a compulsory document, highly codified, which specifies : 

• Length of employment 
• The missions carried out 
• Professional skills 
• Behaviour and interpersonal skills 

In other words, it's the Swiss equivalent of a letter of recommendation, but much more structured. 

But what if you've never worked in Switzerland? 

This is a common situation, particularly for cross-border commuters or those looking to retrain. And don't worry: it's not a hindrance as long as you think ahead. 

In this case, Swiss recruiters really appreciate it if you can contact : 

• Letters of recommendation from previous employers 
• Or, failing that, provide solid professional references 

A good letter of recommendation should be : 

•  claire
• dated and signed
• written by a line manager or HR manager
• focused on your responsibilities, your skills and your professional posture

What if you don't have a letter of recommendation? 

No problem at all. 

It is perfectly acceptable (and common practice in Switzerland) to state on your CV: «References on request».» 

This formula shows that : 

• You are transparent 
• You are ready to provide reliable contacts 
• You comply with Swiss market practices

Be careful, however: this reference must be real and assumed. 

Good practices that must be followed 

• Always warn your former employers or managers that they may be contacted • Check that their contact details are up to date 
• Choose no more than 2 or 3 references that are relevant to the job in question • Choose quality over quantity 

Whether it's : 

• Swiss work certificates 
• foreign letters of recommendation 
• or references on request 

Everything must be prepared with care. 

An important legal point! 

In Switzerland, employers may only contact your references with your permission. Although this rule is sometimes broken in practice, it remains fundamental. 

Hence the importance of anticipating and controlling what your references will say about you.

In summary: cCertificate of employment, letter of recommendation or references on request: a solution for every route. 

The most important thing is to provide testimonials: 

• Reliable 
• Consistent 
• Qualitative 

To reinforce the credibility of your application and reassure a Swiss recruiter.

Find even more experience sharing and advice on nOur media OSAM Training.